***I had written this previously on a different blog and copied and pasted it here***
Now on to the schedule. Lucky for me, there seems to be no shortage of air shows within a 3hr drive. I may not make all of these, but I'm gonna try my hardest. Of course, finances play a huge role. The schedule below includes just the demonstrations. There are many aircraft that are static displays which you can walk through or look in to. I've also marked the shows with free admission with a " * "
April 18th-Thunder Over Louisville * (this is definite now. Already booked the hotel)
Not only is the F-22 Raptor scheduled to be there, but at the end of the show they have the largest fireworks display in the U.S. Also featuring the B-2 Stealth Bomber (I almost wet my pants when I seen this), F-18 Hornet, A-10.
May 15th-Night at the Museum * (National Museum of the United States Air Force)
This is a special event to coincide with the release of the new Night at the Museum movie.
June 5-7 Indianapolis Air Show (had to drop this show, one too many hotel costs)
Featuring USN Blue Angels, A-10, AV-8B Harrier, & nice collection of WWII warbirds.
June 20-21 Wings Over Pittsburgh (911th AW Pittsburgh)* (this show was canceled due to lack of funding. Yeah, I know. Gov't can spend $300M to study field mice and $1B+ on frisbee golf courses, but can't support a military open house.)
Featuring USN Blue Angels & US Army Sky Soliders Cobra Demo Team
June 26 National Museum of the United States Air Force & Wright-Patterson AFB Tattoo *
The museum contains the history of the USAF and some aircraft there are the only ones in existence. The Tattoo has live bands, including the USAF band, fly-overs of aircraft that I'm not going to see at air shows and small demos. It finishes off with a $100,000 fireworks display.
July 18th-Thunder Over Michigan (this is definite since I already bought the tickets)
I've already bought my tickets for this show. Unfortunately; Dayton air show was the same weekend. ToM wins out big time. Featuring USN Blue Angels, gathering of C-130 Hercs, WWII re-enactment, Vietnam warbirds, and WWII warbirds. On a side note, if you would like to make sure our WWII aircraft are maintained and restored to preserve our aviation history, please consider donating to the Yankee Air Museum.
July 19th-Vectren Dayton Air Show (this is definite since I already bought the tickets)
I had changed my mind on this show. We decided to make the trip from Thunder Over Michigan show in Ypsilanti, MI to Dayton, OH. Featuring the USAF Thunderbirds & the Brazilian Air Force Smoke Squadron. Also featuring the A-10 Warthog, F-18 Super Hornet, Sean D. Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute, Team, Tora, Tora, Tora Pearl Harbor Re-enactment, & C-17 Globemaster III Demo.
August 8-9 Thunder Over The Valley (910th AW Youngstown)* (definite, got tickets)
I believe this is the first air show here in 20yrs. Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, F-15 Demo, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, USAF Academy Parachute Team, & Air Force Reserve Jet Car. This show also has a good static line-up
August 22-23 Selfridge Air Show (127th Wing Michigan ANG)* (This show is almost a definite)
Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, F-15 Strike Eagle, F-16 Viper, F-18 Super Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt, KC-135 Strato Tanker, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk, Mig-17, B-25, C-47, F-104 Starfighters, & Tora! Tora! Tora! Pearl Harbor re-enactment.
August 29-30 Northwest Ohio Air Show (Toledo)
This is a small air show compared to the others I have planned. The only military aircraft appearing may be the F-16s from the ANG base near by. Other notables, US Army Sky Soldiers & Misty Blues all woman parachute team. Recently added Red Star & Dragon. Seen them at Cleveland '08, really good performance.
September 5-7 Cleveland National Air Show (This show is a definite since I've already bought the tickets.)
Already bought my tickets for this show too. Featuring USAF Thunderbirds, AV-8B Harrier, F-18 Hornet, C-130 Herc, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, Wingwalking, B-17 Memphis Belle, & Shockwave Jet Truck,
October 17-18 NAS Oceana Air Show (website partially updated for 2009)*
Not much info has been released yet, but year in and year out, this is one of the best air shows in the world. I have no reason to believe 2009 will be any different.
So that concludes my 2009 schedule. Of course, it's still early and there may be additions and/or subtractions to each show.
Photos from my previous air shows can be found at picasaweb.google.com/taspics
